Israel Saria
Harambee Stars head coach Jacob Mulee `Ghost` says the team must work hard to sail through the group stage at next month`s regional tournament in Tanzania.
Commenting after the draw for the Senior Challenge Cup, Mulee said all the teams in Kenya`s group have an equal chance of making it to the next round, Kenya`s Standard newspaper reported yesterday.
Kenya are in Group `A` with hosts Tanzania, Burundi and Somalia.
`Tanzania and Kenya are the favourites on paper. But considering that there are no longer underdogs in African football, my bet would be that any of the teams can make it to the next round,` he said.
`In that regard, we must work hard to ensure we proceed to the next round,` Mulee said.
He said his team is expected to assemble on November 28 for a one-week training ahead of the tournament.
The coach regretted the lack of an international build-up match, saying in the absence of such they may have to do with local preparation.
`We would have done well with at least one international build-up match before the tournament kicks off. However, we may have to do with a local match,` Mulee said.
Kenya play their opening match against Tanzania`s Kilimanjaro Stars on December 8 in Dar es Salaam.
They will play Burundi four days later and complete their group fixtures against Somalia on November 14.
Defending champions Sudan, the only country from the region that has qualified for next year`s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana, make up Group `C` together with Ethiopia, and Zanzibar.
In Group `B` there are Rwanda, Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti.
- SOURCE: Guardian
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